Sri Lanka Premier League will take place this year - sports ministry

The second edition of the Sri Lanka Premier League is to go ahead as scheduled, the sports ministry announced today.

The ministry spokesman Harsha B. Abeykoon refuted local reports that suggested the sports minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage had entertained doubts about the SLPL's second edition taking place.

"The Ministry of Sports wishes to confirm that Sri Lanka Cricket will conduct the Sri Lanka Premier League (SLPL) on the scheduled dates, from August 10 to September 07, 2013," Abeykoon said.

The ministry said franchises have asked for an extension of their period of lease from seven years to 15 years, stating that the seven-year period is insufficient to recover their investment.

"At no stage have the franchises refused or stated their inability to participate in the forthcoming SLPL 2013. The request made by the franchises has been referred to the Attorney-General's department for an opinion based on the existing contracts," Abeykoon added.

"We have a problem this year. The franchise owners are pulling out," sports minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage was quoted as saying in the local Sunday press.

The first edition of the SLPL in 2011 was aborted after the BCCI failed to release Indian players.